MADE FOR GREATNESS 3- ARE YOU RUNNING THIS RACE?

Irewamiri had gone for a camp meeting. I was home alone with the mighty seeds. We stepped out into the compound. The girls began to run challenging one another. I took advantage of the moment and shared a lesson with them.

“Do you know that life is also a race? Do you know some people give up before the race is over? But for you, you must not just run, you must be great finishers”.

They were excited. Then I taught them a song that I learnt as a child:

We are running a race to meet our redeemer

Heavenly Race

To meet our Redeemer

It stuck with them from that day. They sing it almost every day now in family devotion.

Beloved, you must understand that you have a race set before you that you need to run with patience and discard all distractions.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

You must have the discipline of an athlete. You must decide whether you are running for the prize, or you just want to say “I ran also”. You must decide whether you are running according to the rules, or you will end up getting disqualified. You must decide whether you are going to allow offences and pleasures of life to distract or you will run with focus.

This race does not begin when you are born. No! This particular race to greatness begins when a man meets Christ. A man who does not know Christ has no life. He has no race. He is still lost.

This is a race to finish. You cannot abandon it. You need a companion called joy. It is a race upon the track that God has placed you. Running this race means that you are focused on the things that count and not just mere carnal affairs.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 NKJV

What are things moving you? What are things that have become your drive and motivation? Is it kingdom advancement or mere selfish ambition?

The World’s definition of greatness is not the kingdom’s definition of greatness at all. For the world, progress means forward movement. In this kingdom, greatness means obedience. It is doing what God says and staying where God instructs even if it means staying in the same spot. It is the reason why there must be no comparison, competition, jealousy, or envy. Our tracks are not the same.

Take an appraisal of what you are doing with your life right now. Are you running the race that God has set before you or you are actively engaged in doing your own thing? Will the things occupying your time make the cloud of witnesses proud of you? Do they have lasting kingdom relevance?

Are you running the race? Or you have found an alternative? Do an appraisal today.

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa